Omaha to Lincoln Rail Crossing Safety Improvement Plan
About the Study
The Omaha to Lincoln Rail Crossing Safety Improvement Plan is a study by the Nebraska Department of Transportation (NDOT) to evaluate and improve locations where roads cross railroad tracks along the BNSF Railway (BNSF) corridor.
The study looks at 141 railroad crossings across 64.5 miles, spanning parts of Douglas, Sarpy, Cass, Saunders, and Lancaster counties. The study area includes Lincoln, Omaha, and surrounding communities.
The study is funded by the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) and evaluates:
- 73 at-grade crossings, where roads and trains meet at the same level.
- 67 grade-separated crossings, such as bridges or tunnels that allow vehicles or pedestrians to go over or under railroad tracks.
The goal of this study is to understand how each crossing functions today and recommend improvements that could reduce crashes and improve travel for drivers, pedestrians, and bicyclists.
Once complete, the plan will:
- Identify safety and operational issues
- Evaluate possible solutions
- Prioritize feasible improvements
- Help guide future funding and implementation decisions
Identify safety and operational issues
Evaluate possible solutions
Prioritize feasible improvements
Help guide future funding and implementation decisions
Potential Improvement Options
Not every crossing will have proposed changes. Where changes are recommended, they will be tailored to the specific location and its needs. Recommendations may include:
- Closing or combining crossings
- Upgrading warning devices (such as signals and gates)
- Adjusting road alignment or elevation
- Creating new connections or grade separations
- Adding pedestrian and bicycle safety improvements
- Improving maintenance where no other upgrades are recommended
Closing or combining crossings
Upgrading warning devices (such as signals and gates)
Adjusting road alignment or elevation
Creating new connections or grade separations
Adding pedestrian and bicycle safety improvements
Improving maintenance where no other upgrades are recommended
Study Area
Study Schedule
March - September 2026
- Crossing inventory and existing conditions evaluation
- Virtual public meeting, focus groups, and an online survey
October - December 2026
- Develop crossing recommendations, cost analysis, and project prioritization
January - Spring 2027
- Draft plan development
- Virtual public meetings and focus groups
Early Summer 2027
- Final plan released
Public Involvement Process
Public involvement is a key part of this study and will help our team evaluate crossings and develop final recommendations. NDOT wants to hear directly from people who use, live near, or are affected by rail crossings in the study area.
During the study, NDOT will offer:
- An online survey
- Virtual public meetings
- Focus groups
An online survey
Virtual public meetings
Focus groups
Study Updates
To receive updates on the Omaha to Lincoln Rail Crossing Safety Improvement Plan, sign up below.
Frequently Asked Questions
This study evaluates current conditions at selected rail crossings and identifies potential opportunities for future consideration. It is important to note that not every crossing will have proposed changes.
Possibly. The final plan will include recommendations that will consider public feedback gathered during the study. NDOT will use the plan to help decide which improvements to pursue future funding for, with the goal of focusing on priority projects that improve conditions for road users, communities, and train operators.
A grade crossing is where a road, sidewalk, or pathway crosses railroad tracks at the same level. These locations are important because they are places where vehicles, pedestrians, bicycles, and trains all interact.
As of 2025, crashes at highway-rail grade crossings remain one of the leading causes of rail-related injuries and fatalities in the United States. For more information on highway-rail grade crossing safety, visit the FRA's webpage. Improving safety at these crossings can help protect everyone who uses them.
Share Your Feedback
We want to hear from you! Share how you use the crossings nearest to you, including your experiences related to delays, visibility of trains or warning devices, pedestrian or bicycle access, navigation, maintenance, nearby land use changes, or overall mobility.